No SSC benefits for adoptive mothers

THE Social Security Commission (SSC) does not pay maternity leave to mothers who adopt a child; the benefits only apply to women who fall pregnant, Labour Minister Alfeus Naruseb has said.

Jurie Viljoen, Member of Parliament for the Monitor Action Group (MAG), tabled a question to that effect in the National Assembly last week. Viljoen said many countries granted maternity leave to allow parents, or at least mothers, to become acquainted with their adopted children.Minister Naruseb said such a regulation did not yet apply in Namibia.”The only time that SSC benefits are paid to a person other than the biological mother is when the biological mother passes away while still receiving the SSC maternity benefits.In this case, the SSC may pay the remaining benefits to the person taking care of the baby,” according to Naruseb.Viljoen said many countries granted maternity leave to allow parents, or at least mothers, to become acquainted with their adopted children.Minister Naruseb said such a regulation did not yet apply in Namibia.”The only time that SSC benefits are paid to a person other than the biological mother is when the biological mother passes away while still receiving the SSC maternity benefits.In this case, the SSC may pay the remaining benefits to the person taking care of the baby,” according to Naruseb.